In the aftermath of her shocking Australian Open third-round exit, Serena Williams says she's still determined to make major history.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion bowed to Wang Qiang 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 stumbling in her quest to claim her 24th Grand Slam crown and match Margaret Court's all-time major record in Melbourne.
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Enduring earliest AO exit in 14 years, Williams said she's disappointed but determined and "definitely" believes she will equal Court's major mark.
"I definitely do believe or I wouldn't be on tour," Williams told the media. "I don't play just to have fun. To lose is really not fun, to play to lose, personally." .
The 38-year-old superstar has not won a Grand Slam title since topping sister Venus Williams in the 2017 Australian Open final.
The former world No. 1 has dropped four consecutive major finals since then. While conventional wisdom suggested the seven-time AO champion's best shot for No. 24 would be in Melbourne, Williams,who lost to Simona Halep in the Wimbledon final and bowed to Bianca Andreescu in the US Open final, says she views every Slam as the opportunity.
"I seem to do well the last two slams of the year," Williams said. "I don't know. I have won them all several times. Each one is definitely an opportunity for me to go out there and win.
"It's not even about the slams, it's about just me playing good tennis, and I didn't do that today. That is more disappointing. So it's not even about the win, it's just more about I'm better than that. That is what it is for me today."
Admitting the sting of this loss leaves her frustrated—"I just have to pretend like I don't want to punch the wall, but in reality I do,"Williams deadpanned—the eighth seed shared one commitment on her schedule.
"I'm definitely going to be training tomorrow," Williams said. "That's first and foremost, to make sure I don't do this again."
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